After taking delivery of my F30 328i, I was disappointed to see that BMW had provided some very yellow and rather dim lights as stock. While I already immediately regretted not getting Xenons, the crappy lights just added insult to injury. Paying so much to see BMW squander the details made me frown a bit -- it just seemed cheap.

So I decided to 'upgrade' the Halogens with the latest Sylviana's latest gimmick, the zXe's. While most people would call these a bit silly and overpriced I found them to be a substantial upgrade to the junk bulbs included with my 328i.

Note: Installing them was a far more of a hassle than it should have been. BMW's access panel to the headlights is covered in sharp edges and I cut my hand in multiple places while changing the bulbs. Its also nearly impossible to pry bulbs out and install new ones w/o substantially bending the metal clasps. Another cheap move by BMW.

Anyways the lights are pretty cool and as you can see in the attached picture are a perfectly white/blue light. The only problem now is the silly parking lights and DRL are of a substantially different color temp. Any suggestions on how best to replace that goofy parking light? I assume the DRL is no go as well. Guess i'll have to live with two color temps.

Ahhh, I had the same exact problem and disappointment when I received my car. Anyways, my solution to the problem was to first, instal HIDs in the low beams(which was a substantial improvement) then after that I put in LED bulbs in the foglights and in the parking lights to match the color temp. Looks great. Unfortunately I'm new to the forum, and don't know how to post pics. I can post some as soon as I figure it out.

Ahhh, I had the same exact problem and disappointment when I received my car. Anyways, my solution to the problem was to first, instal HIDs in the low beams(which was a substantial improvement) then after that I put in LED bulbs in the foglights and in the parking lights to match the color temp. Looks great. Unfortunately I'm new to the forum, and don't know how to post pics. I can post some as soon as I figure it out.

Where oh where did you get LED's for the parking lights?! Mind sharing a link so I can order them ASAP?

Also in order to post an image, upload it to flicker and then get the image URL and paste it in to the box that pops up when you hit the image button in the editor screen. (looks like a mountain and a sun).

Where oh where did you get LED's for the parking lights?! Mind sharing a link so I can order them ASAP?

Also in order to post an image, upload it to flicker and then get the image URL and paste it in to the box that pops up when you hit the image button in the editor screen. (looks like a mountain and a sun).[/quote]

Pm sent about the parking lights! And thanks, I will upload some pics later today. Will also get some night pics so you can see how it looks

Ahhh, I had the same exact problem and disappointment when I received my car. Anyways, my solution to the problem was to first, instal HIDs in the low beams(which was a substantial improvement) then after that I put in LED bulbs in the foglights and in the parking lights to match the color temp. Looks great. Unfortunately I'm new to the forum, and don't know how to post pics. I can post some as soon as I figure it out.

TsunamiFury....I got to the panel and even had a mirror in there to better see what I was doing but what I dont get is why the low beam bulb is so hard to get out.

The high beam, which appears to be installed exactly the same, simply pulls straight out with very little effort from under the hood.. When i try that on the low beam via that panel you mention, it wont budge, even if I push on the tabs, try turning it slightly, etc no luck at all. I feel like I might break it if I pull any harder. Do you recall what you did to finally get it to release?

I saw where one guy removed the front wheels/tires to see it straight on but I can tell that wont help me. I just turned the wheels out on the side I was working on. I have enough leverage but it just wont budge. and you are 100% correct, the edges around that panel gouged up my hand pretty good.

As much as I am very fond of BMW, this is amazing how they made changing simple bulbs such as huge task. Come on!!

Quote:

Originally Posted by TsunamiFury

There is a panel in the wheel well that pulls away and a screw away cap. Its a REAL pain.

So I answered my own question....thanks. To remove the low beam bulb, halogen, I was able to do it without lifting the car and without removing the wheels/tires. I turned the wheel out on the side where working. The key is those 3 flanges holding the bulbs in. You have to squeeze your hand in, squeeze is an understatement. As said above, force your hand in and lose skin...looks like I was in a bar fight...then push the outer edge of each flange and it they will bend slightly. Then as it says in the manual, push up and down on the bulb housing and eventually it will come lose. I had to do it several times and then eventually it pulled out. replace bulb and then before re-installing, you have to get your finger under the outside edge of each flange again and pull them back up to reverse when you push down on them. Dont do it too much, just about the same amount you did to remove the bulb. Once you have done that, insert the top first and then it should snap into place on the bottom. Its not a click or specific noise that sounds like its done. Its much softer. You'll know because if it works, will be harder to remove, if you try it over and over and its still too easy to pull it out, you likely need to pull those flanges up a little more so they are tighter at holding the bulb. Good luck, right hand hurts from skin being peeled off from the sharp edges. But my new Silvania Ultra bulbs are in and are bright white.

Yeah I think that was supposed to be 29.99. That is what I paid through this same seller. Only issue is......you have to replace the bulb in the original bulb base. I had to trim the leads to the new LED to fit properly. It wasn't easy.